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The death of Mount Maunganui teenager Samantha Mouat at Easter when she was racing in the mini-stock event at Kaikohe has drawn the public's attention to the risks of speedway racing. In New Zealand, a person is allowed to start driving in this event at age 12.
SunLive visited Devonport Road to ask people in the area how appropriate they thought it was to have 12 as a starting age in mini-stock racing.
They need to be a bit older, 14-15. When you are older you have more control and skills.
Luke Pearson, Tauranga
I think that is way too young, it should be 18 or above.
Jennifer Taylor Moore, Tauranga
Yeah it is. If they are going to start in any sport they have to start young if they are going to peak in their 20s.
Ryan Eston, Tauranga
I just reckon it is people's experience. Maybe a bit older, 14 or 15. 12 just seems a bit young.
Sheena Malloy, Greerton
12 does seem a little bit young. Maybe it should be the same as the driving age, at least then they have some idea of how to drive a car.
Phil Snow, Mt Maunganui
It is a hard one, if you have all the safety gear then you might think it is ok, but it appears to not be that safe. 12 is a bit young. My son is racing too.
Lynette Cuthbert, Tauranga
No, far too young. They don't have any sense of responsibility or reflexes, if they get into a situation they can't really cope with. 16 perhaps, I wouldn't like anyone from my family going at speeds under that.
Jean Hodges, Tauranga
1 comment
Posted on 10-04-2010 14:04 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
What a terrible tragedy - my heart goes out to her parents HOWEVER The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools." (as tony above said) 12 does seem too young HOWEVER it should be the choice of the dependants parents to decide. The consequences must also rest with them. Would I let MY 12 year old? - No. Maybe if there was some kind of introductory racing bracket with smaller cars that may reduce the danger, until they reach maybe 15 or 18 or something - failing that, how about THIS: The age should be when somebody is old enough to be responsible for their own actions! When they have got a job that pays for their own medical care (because up until then surely the medical care should be the responsibility of their parents). As Jean Hodges above says - at this age many of them may not understand the responsibility or the consequences of their actions. God knows the government are taking more and more of them away from us that the younger generations have no idea of the consequences of their actions or of what the word responsibility means, due to the brainwashing of government-run schools, and exploding welfare dependancy. As a matter of interest though, my wifes grandfather was flying a bomber during the war from the ages of 18 and in charge of the bomber and 8 crew members at 21 Can you imagine them doing that today? - I wouldnt trust them to LOOK at one, let alone fly it
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